Apparatus for treating soil during planting



Jan. 17, 1961 2,968,266

APPARATUS FOR TREATING son. DURING PLANTING A. W'. GUSTAFSON 3Sheets-Shet 1 Filed Jan. 25, 1958 Fla.

INVENTOR AUGUST. 5 G'USTAFSON ATTORNEY Jan. 17, 1961 A. w. GUSTAFSON2,968,266

APPARATUS FOR TREATING son. DURING PLANTING Filed Jan. 23, 1958 5Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR AUGUST W. GUSTAFSON LA AWL ATTORNEY Jan. 17,1961 w, GUSTAFSON 2,968,266

APPARATUS FOR TREATING SOIL DURING PLANTING Filed Jan; 25, 1958 3Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR AUGUST n. GUSTAFSON BY ham ATTORNEY APPARATUSFOR TREATING son. DURING PLANTING August W. Gustafson, Baldwin andNavigation Blvds., Corpus Christi, Tex.

Filed at. 23, 1958, Ser. No. 710,769

Claims. (Cl. 111-80) The present invention relates to equipment adaptedto be attached to conventional types of planting apparatus so thatchemicals in pulverulent form may be added to and mixed with the soil asseed is planted therein and more particularly pertains to apparatus fortreating the soil in the immediate vicinity of the planted seed so as toretard fungi or insects which attack the seed or part of the plantgrowth beneath the surface of the ground.

An object of the invention is to provide equipment which is mounted onconventional planting apparatus so that one device for mixing thechemicals may serve a plurality of rows of the planting apparatus andequipment which may be driven by the power take-off of a tractor or thelike employed for pulling the planting apparatus and wherein theplanting apparatus forms a part of the equipment for mixing thechemicals with the soil.

A still further object of the invention is to provide chemical mixingand distributing apparatus for delivering chemical materials into thesoil as it has been prepared by a seed opener sweep or sweeps ofplanting equipment to provide trenches into which seed is distributedand to provide equipment for delivery of chemical material to the soilin the area where seed is deposited by planters.

Other objects and features of the invention will be appreciated andpossibly become apparent as the present disclosure proceeds and uponconsideration of the following detailed description and the accompanyingdrawings wherein several embodiments of the invention are disclosed.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a portion of a conventional type ofplanting apparatus illustrating the chemical mixing and distributingapparatus exhibiting the invention in association with the seeddepositing elements of a multiple row planter.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view partly in section of aportion of the planting equipment showing the manner in which the airborne chemical materials are supplied to the soil.

Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the structure shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken on the line 44 of Fig. 2. v

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view partly in section showing a modifiedtype of device for delivery and distribution of chemicals to the soil.

Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the elements shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 77 of Fig. 5. vt

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 88 of Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawings there is shown at 10 a portion of a tractor orthe like which may be employed as draft equipment for a multiple rowplanter. .The tractor may be provided with the usual power take-offwhich is represented at 11. A bar 12 detachably mounted on the atent icetractor provides support for elements of the multiple row planter. Theassembly shown at 14 provides equipment for depositing seed from ahopper 16 in the soil in one row while the assembly represented at 17make up equipment for depositing seed in the soil in another row fromthe hopper 18. Additional assemblies of such a type or of a similarnature may be provided to plant seed from additional hoppers and may bemounted on the bar 12 and a hopper 19 for an "additional row plantingassembly is in part illustrated in Fig. l. The apparatus for mixing anddistributing chemicals to the soil may be attached to any conventionalplanter of a single or multiple row type.

A frame structure including uprights 21 is supported on the bar 12 andthese columns and the frame structure 22 provide support for a mixingmechanism 23. This mechanism is adapted to mix pulverulent chemicalmaterials for delivery from the drum 24 by a fan encased in a housing26. The mixing apparatus and the fan may be driven by a belt 27 which istrained over a pulley 30 and driven by means from the power take-01f 11.The mixing apparatus 23 and the fan housed in the casing 26 are ofconventional construction.

The seed stored within the hopper 18 is guided downwardly towards thesoil and into a trench formed therein by the opener sweep 28. The seedguide tube is indicated at 29 and the lower end thereof terminateswithin the soil opener sweep 28 as shown in Fig. 2. A flexible conduit31 extends from the outlet of the fan casing 26 for delivering a mixtureof air and pulverulent chemical materials from the mixing mechanism 23.A conduit fitting 32 is provided in the conduit 31 and a flexible pipe33 (Fig. 2) extends from the fitting 32 into an adapter 34 fittingforming a part of the seed guide tube 29. A portion of the pulverulentchemical material and air as propelled by the fan is thus delivered intothe seed guide tube 29 and the mixture moves in the direction of thearrow 36. The adapter 34 is so constructed as to discharge the chemicalmaterial and the air in a down ward direction in the seed drop tube 29and thereby does not interfere with the downward movement of the seedsThe plan-ting assembly for each row as shown in Figs. 1 to 3 may includea seed embedding wheel 38 particularly if the soil is of a loose type.The embedding wheel 38 presses the seed in the bottom of the trenchformed by the soil opening sweep 28 and also presses the chemicalmaterial supplied in the open trench through the seed guide tube 29 intothe soil. Thus the seed 37 and chemical materials are partly covered asa result of some of the soil tumbling back into the trench after theopening sweep 28 and the seed drop tube 29 have moved forwardly. Theplanting equipment may also include a soil packing wheel as representedat 39. These wheels may be of the type wherein the structure making upthe periphery of the wheel is open as indicated at 41 so as to avoidcompacting the soil immediately over the deposited seed.

The invention further pertains to means intermediate the seed drop tube29 and the soil compacting wheel 39 to further mix the chemical materialwith the soil before the trench has been closed and during the closurethereof. A U-shaped tubular member 42 is arranged immediately forwardlyof the soil packing wheel 39 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The tubularmember 42 is supported at its forward end by means of a bolt 43 whichextends through transversely spaced bars 44 (Figs. 2 and 4). Thebars 44are further supported by adapter straps 46 (Fig. 3) which are pivotallyconnected at 47 to a part 43 of the planter frame. The bars 44 and thestraps 46 are provided with slots 49 so as to permit forward andrearward adjustment of the tubular member 42 while 3 maintaining it overthe row or trench for the seed 37. The rear end of the distributor tubeor U-shaped tubular member 42 is supported by a flexible element such asa chain 51 having the upper end attached to a frame member 52 of theplanter. The distributor tube 42 is prevented from moving laterally ofthe planter or laterally of the direction of movement by the supportingstraps 46 but is free to swing upwardly when any irregularities areencountered so that it may return to a position immediately over thetrench by gravity action.

A flexible pipe 53 extends from the conduit fitting 32 and is connectedto the leg 54 of the U-shaped tubular member 42 so as to deliver themixture of chemical material and air into the distributor tube 42. Thedistributor tube 42 is provided with a series of downwardly directedopenings and one 56 is at such an angle as to direct some of thepulverulent material rearwardly with respect to the direction of motionof the planting apparatus. Another opening 57 is formed in the arcuatepart of the tubular member 42 while another opening 58 is positionedforwardly of the opening 57. A larger opening 59 is arranged in theintermediate straight portion of the tubular member 42. A furtheropening 61 of large dimensions is positioned adjacent the forward end ofthe second and lower horizontally disposed leg of the U-shaped tubularmember 42.

A pair of scratchers are provided in the form of soil engaging arms 62at each side of the distributor tube 42. The scratching arms 62 aremounted for pivoting movement on the bolt 43 and this structure is bestshown in Figs. 2 and 4. The arms rotate about spacer sleeves 63 whichprevent binding of the pivoted ends of the scratcher arms 62 between theside faces of the bars 44 and the washers 64. The scratcher arms 62 areso mounted that they slope downwardly and rearwardly from the supportingbolt 43 which serves as a shaft and the arms have sufficient weight tomove into soil engaging positions for scratching the soil in thevicinity of the trench and assisting in covering the seed. Stop members66 carried by the distributor tube 42 limit upward swinging movement ofthe scratcher arms 62 when the planting equipment is raised from a soilengaging position.

A flexible shield 67 is provided at each side of the lower leg of thedistributor tube 42 and these shields may be secured thereto by means ofa fitting 68 attached to the tubular member 42 by means of screws 69.These shields extend below the lower extremities of the distributor tube42 from the front to the rear thereof. The forward corners of theshields 67 may be rounded as indicated at 71.

In operation and when the planting apparatus is moved forwardly in thedirection of the arrow 72 (Fig. 2) the soil opener sweeps 28 of eachplanting assembly push the soil to the side and form a trench into whichthe seed 37 are deposited by the respective seed guide tube 29. Thechemical material supplied to the open trench through the adapter 34 andthe low portion of the seed guide tube 29 are deposited in the verybottom of the trench. As the equipment moves forwardly some of the soilat the sides of a trench gravitates back into the trench. The wheel 38pushes the seed into the soil at the bottom of the trench and thusembeds the seed and, the chemical mixture delivered through the, pipe33. The chemical material supplied through the flexible pipe 53 and intothe U-shaped tubular member 42 escapes through the outlet opening 61treats an area in the trench immediately behind the wheel 38. The soilscratchers 62 engage the soil at the sides of the trench and crumblesome soil thereinto over the seed 37 and over the chemical materialdelivered through the outlet opening 61. The chemical material escapingthrough the outlet openings 59 and 58 treat the soil delivered into thetrench by the scratcher arms 62. Any trash or stones in the path of thescratcher arms 62 cause them to swing upwardly and after passing; such,obstructions the scratchers return by gravity to the position shown inFig. 2. The chemical materials delivered through the openings 57 and 56treat the ground over the dirt deposited in the trench by the scratcherarms 62 and supply the chemical to the soil immediately prior to beingpacked by the wheel 39.

The solids of the mixture as it turns from the leg 54 to the lower legof the distributor tube tends to separate the heavier particles from theothers to thereby deliver the more concentrated pulverulent materials tothe outside circumference of the elbow. The change of direction insuresthat the air will carry the lighter chemical material to that portion ofthe distributor tube where the outlet openings are located. The flexibleshields 67 sub stantially enclose the, exposed area of the distributortube so that the chemical material settles rapidly and drift is held toa minimum. The air borne chemical material entering the distributor tube42 also moves at a lower rate of speed in the lower leg of the U-shapedtubular member 42 because of its larger cross section. The reducedvelocity causes the chemical particles to settle rapidly and facilitatethe discharge through the outlet openings. The dust laden air dischargedthrough the outlet opening 61 moves in a forward direction with respectto the direction of movement of the cultivator and thereby opposing aircurrents created by the planter movement and the fan of the tractor.These factors tend to hold the chemical material stationary under theshields 67. The shields serve the further purpose of protecting theescaped chemical from being blown away by cross wind currents. Theshields being flexible may distort upon engagement of any rock or otherobjects but move back to normal positions after such objects are passed.

A modified distributor structure is shown in Figs. 5 to 8. The lower legof the U-shaped tubular member 76 is of greater length measured in thedirection of movement of the planter. The distributor 76 is attached tothe planter frame 48 by brackets 77 which are rigidly secured to theframe at 78. The distributor tube 76 is attached to the other end of thebrackets 77 by means of a bolt 79. The bolt 79 is rigidly supported bythe brackets 77 but serves as pivot for the distributor tube 76. A pairof scratching arms 81 are also pivotally attached to the bolt 79 whichserves as a shaft. These scratcher arms are adapted to swing downwardlyby gravity action about the axis of the bolt 79. The rear end portion ofthe tubular member 76 may be supported by a flexible element such as achain 82 which is attached at its upper end to a frame member 83. A bar84 which is pivotally mounted on the bolt 79 is sup ported at its rearend by a rod 86 having a hook at the lower end thereof for engaging anyone of the holes 87 and the upper end thereof is secured to the frame 83by a clamp 88 which also serves as a support for the chain 82. A pair ofscratcher arms 91 are attached to the bar 84 and are pivotally supportedat 89. Additional scratcher arms 92 are also pivotally supported by thebolt 89 as best shown in Fig. 7. Springs 93 resiliently urge thescratcher arms 91 and 92 to soil engaging positions. A flexible shield94 is provided along opposite sides of the distributor tube 76. Theshield 94 is flared at its forward end as indicated at 96 and held inplace by straps 97 and suitable fastening devices. The lower leg of thedistributor tube 76 is provided with a plurality of openings fordischarging the chemical material in the trench created during forwardmovement of the soil separating blade of the planter and the chemicalmaterial is distributed through these openings into the trench and intothe soil as it is returned to the trench to cover the seed.

While the invention has been described with reference to particularstructural features and. with regard to general embodiments it will beappreciated that changes. may be made in the overall structure as wellas in the.

various parts of the equipment. Such changes and other modifications maybe made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asset forth in the appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for treating seed and soil with chemical material duringthe planting'of the seed comprising, a planter having means thereonproviding a trench in soil during forward movement thereof, a U-shapedtubular member having an upper leg and a lower leg, means carried by theplanter supporting said tubular member with the lower leg in asubstantially horizontal position longitudinally over said trench, saidlower leg being of larger cross section than the upper leg, a guide tubecarriedby said planter for delivering seed into the trench forwardly ofsaid tubular member, a fan, means supplying chemical material to saidfan, conduit means guiding the flow of chemical material and airdelivered by said fan into said guide tube and into the upper leg ofsaid tubular member, the lower leg of said tubular member having anopening in a lower forward portion thereof for distributing some of thechemical material to the soil at the bottom of the trench, means movingsoil at the sides of the trench thereinto over the seed, said lower leghaving an opening for directing some of the chemical material onto thesoil as it is being moved into the trench, and said lower leg having anadditional opening for delivery of some of the chemical material ontothe soil after it has been moved into the trench.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the openings adjacent the freeend of the lower le are of larger size than the openings adjacent thejuncture of the lower end upper legs.

3. Apparatus for treating seed and soil with chemical material duringthe planting of the seed comprising, a planter having means thereonproviding a trench in soil during forward movement thereof, a tubularmember, means carried by the planter supporting a portion of saidtubular member in a substantially horizontal position over andlongitudinally of said trench, a guide tube carried by said planter fordelivering seed intp the trench forwardly of said tubular member, asupply of chemical material, means providing a current of air formixture with and forcing said chemical material from said supply as anair borne chemical mixture, conduit means guiding some of said air bornechemical mixture into said guide tube for delivery with the seed ontothe soil at the bottom of the trench, conduit means guiding some of saidair borne chemical material into said tubular member, said tubularmember having an opening at the lower forward portion thereof fordistributing some of the chemical material onto the soil at the bottomof the trench and over the seed, means moving soil at sides of thetrench thereinto over the seed, said tubular member having an openingfor directing some of the chemical material onto the soil as it is beingmoved into the trench, and said tubular member having an additionalopening therein for the delivery of some of the chemical material ontothe soil after it has been moved into the trench.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 including a flexible shield at eachside of the tubular member extending therebelow, and means supportingsaid shield on the tubular member.

5. Apparatus for treating seed and soil with chemical material duringthe planting of the seed comprising, a planter having means thereonproviding a trench in soil during forward movement thereof, a tubularmember, means carried by the planter supporting a portion of saidtubular member in a substantially horizontal position over andlongitudinally of said trench, a guide tube carried by said planter fordelivering seed into the trench forwardly of said tubular member, meansproviding a supply of air borne chemical material under pressure greaterthan atmospheric, conduit means guiding the forced flow of air bornechemical material into said tubular member, said tubular member havingan opening at the lower forward portion thereof for distributing some ofthe chemical material to the soil at the bottom of the trench and ontothe seed, means moving soil at the side of the trench thereinto over theseed, said tubular member having an opening rearwardly of the firstopening for directing some of the chemical material into the soil as itis being moved into the trench, and said tubular member having anadditional opening therein rearwardly of the second opening for thedelivery of some of the chemical material onto the soil after it hasbeen moved into the trench.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,667,923 Bishop May 1, 1928 2,295,472 Hopkins Sept. 8, 1942 2,643,796Gustafson June 30, 1953 2,712,198 Smith July 5, 1955 2,754,622 RohnertJuly 17, 1956 2,812,732 Meisdalen Nov. 12, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 530,673Canada Sept. 25, 1956 200,858 Great Britain July 23, 1923 612,779 GreatBritain Nov. 17, 1948

